YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea, Aug. 16, 2011 -- The U.S. Army’s top operational headquarters in South Korea will train with its Republic of Korea counterparts to confront and defeat a variety of external threats during Exercise Ulchi Freedom Guardian, Aug. 16-26.

Eighth Army, together with its Republic of Korea, or ROK, allies and joint partners, will train for full-spectrum operations through multiple computer-based scenarios which include mission command, sustainment, and protection against chemical, biological, nuclear and radiological threats.

Ulchi Freedom Guardian, or UFG, is an annual command post exercise that will also leverage the lessons learned from the U.S. military’s combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“UFG provides us the opportunity to hone our warfighting capabilities, train new team members, enhance the interoperability of the United States and Republic of Korea military forces, and continue to improve the combat readiness of the alliance,” said Eighth Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. John D. Johnson.

UFG is one of the largest computer simulation exercises in world, involving units and personnel from bases in the United States and across the Pacific region.

The exercise is named after Ulchi Mundeok, an early Korean military leader.

Johnson said the exercise ensures that the ROK-U.S. Alliance is ready for any crisis or contingency.

“Our readiness here directly contributes to security and stability on the Korean Peninsula and across the entire region,” said Johnson, “and we welcome any opportunity to train with our ROK allies and joint partners.”

“UFG keeps us ready to defend liberty here on freedom’s frontier,” said Johnson. “While we pray for peace on the Korean Peninsula, we must maintain our ability to deter aggression and if deterrence fails, to fight and win.”

Originally called Ulchi Focus Lens, UFG is a regularly scheduled defensive exercise that takes place around the same time every year. It is the second of two annual peninsula-wide exercises.